Chicago jury to continue deliberations on fate of Rana

The 12-member jury of a federal court here held close-door deliberations for six hours against Tahawwur Rana, who is charged with involvement in the Mumbai terror attacks and providing material support to Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba, and will continue the process on Thursday.

The jury posed two questions to the defence and prosecution. It asked whether Pasha (Abdur Rahman, a retired Pakistani Army major), was involved with LeT or ISI.

It also wanted to know whether al-Qaeda terrorist Ilyas Kashmiri was associated with LeT.

After consultations, judge Harry D Leinenweber told the jury that they have to rely on "collective memory", which means that they have to depend on material that is available in public domain.

If convicted on the three counts -- helping 26/11 attackers, giving material support to LeT and planning a terror strike in Denmark -- 50-year-old Rana, a Pakistani Canadian, faces a possible life sentence.